The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1887-12-24

less than halt an hour 6nOWhake5 began
to fall, at first slowly and softly, then
faster and faster, until the air grew thick
and misty with the quickly falling fakes
The stout horses bent their heads q
the gusts of wind that whirled the snow
in their faces, and John urged them on
in CHEEKY tones. Once he stopped and
lighted his lantern, which he carried for
such emergencies, and the ra fell far
into the road ahead, just enough to make
darkness visible.
As the horses paused at the top of a
steep hill to regain breath after their long
pull, John thought he heard feeble cry
on the side of the road. He listened in
tently and heard it repeated He hurried
ly snstched up the lantern and proceeded
in the direction from whence the sound
came, and there, by the rays Of the light
he carried, and all cuddled up under a
blanket shawl, was baby about nine
months old.
my csrtesl'' exclaimed John, "I've
found my christmas box Poor, wee
lambkin! What hard hearted wretch left
you here to die, poor little innocsnt?"
The baby stopped crying and look ed
at him with her fnger in her mouth and
her great blue eyes fixed, halt in wonder,
half in fear, on his pittying face. John
held out his arms coaxingly, and a smile
came over the baby face and &c 20, COO"
broke in lisping tones from the rosebud
mouth. He tenderly lifted the little crea-
ture, and opening his coat folded her in
close to his great warm heart.
No sound save that of the bitter wind
disturbed the stiffness, no track of any
living being was to be found, and John,
with his burden in bis arms, clambered
back into his wagon, and, closely nest
ling the little one, chirruped to his stout
horses, that knew the road too well to
need much watching.
Wondering, solemn thoughts came to
John as he sat there with the baby in his
arms, of that other little Baby, who came
to this world SO many centuries ago that
very night; who was born among the
dumb beasts and graded in the manger
OF a stable, but who withal was Lord
and Saviour And he thought how the
very stars had sung for joy, and how
thrill of happiness vibrated from end to
end of Gods fair world at the advent of
the long promised King; and as these
thoughts came solemnly, sweetly, throng-
ing to his mind, his voice rang out clear
ly over the stormy night in the dear old
Christmas hymn,
"when shepherds watcse ed their focks by
night"
and he vowed that this Christmas baby
should share his home and heart with his
own flesh and blood. Presently his voice
ceased, and, looking down, he saw his
baby fast asleep, her long lashes lying on
her soft cheek; and quietly and gently he
drew out his warm buffalo-robe and cast
about in his mind for place in which to
lay his sleeping charge. The large, empty
box, which had borne his poultry to mar
ket, caught his eye, and, placing in it his
warm comfortable robe, he made soft
bed for his Christmas present; so he nestl
ed her down among the skins and cover
ed her with his overcoat.
He did not mind the cold, although his
face glowed scarlet and he had to swing
his arms and slap his hands to keep the
blood in circulation; but he whistled mer-
riIu fo hic r,oad bOrcao khof roftIod ~,
with increased speed and soon drew up
before the gate of his farmhouse.
The door was opened and the figure of
woman appeared,peering into the dark
ness; the light of candle she shielded
with her hand falling upon the black
eyes and eager face OF Dolly, who stood
with her head pushed out under her
mothers arm.
"Margery," shouted John to his wife,
"come, see my Christmas box. Give the
light to David and let him hold it here
in the wagon. Here, give me both your
hands," said John, STOPPING down and
helping his wondering wife into the wa
gon; and there, quietly sleeping, her rosy
cheek pressed closely to the soft skins,
lay Johns Christmas box.
Her mother-heart was touched, and,
opening to this little, homeless walf, she
bore her into her happy home, looking
already upon her as her own.
Who could depict Dolly's delight at
this "real live baby?' Not even the great
magnifcence of the new purchase or the
purchase of the box of candies could
compare, in her estimation, with this new
ly found treasure.
The baby girls quaint, curious ways
were a never-failing source OF delight,
and Dolly wondered how she could ever
have cared for her stupid baby, that
could not crow or laugh or poke its little
fingers into her eyes and pull her hair;
and once again Margery and John grew
young in watching and guarding their
Christmas box.
Years rolled on, bringing their usual
changes of Joy and sorrow, of good and
evil fortune; had left their traces in
wrinkles and gaay hairs on the middle
aged, and opened the gates Of heaven to
old; had changed rompng school. child
rem into strong young men and sweet,
winsome maidens. But the old farm
house still stood, looking very little old.